Is Coast Redwood protected on the Peninsula?

Coast Redwoods are protected virtually everywhere. Palo Alto protects trees at 11.5 inches circumference, Redwood City at 38 inches, and Woodside essentially protects all significant redwoods. Most mature landscape redwoods exceed protection thresholds in their city.

Do Coast Redwoods damage foundations and sewer lines?

Yes. Redwood roots are shallow, aggressive, and will invade sewer lines, crack foundations, heave sidewalks, and outcompete nearby plantings. The root zone extends well beyond the canopy. Plan accordingly when planting near structures.

What is a basal sprout and how does it help with removal?

Basal sprouts are new stems growing from the root collar after the main trunk is cut. Coast Redwoods reliably sprout from the base, forming fairy rings. Many cities allow main trunk removal if you retain 2-3 basal sprouts as replacement trees, which is easier than full removal.

Coast Redwood

Q: Why do Coast Redwoods drop branches in summer?

Coast Redwoods commonly experience sudden branch drop without warning, especially during summer heat. Dead branches high in the canopy should be removed proactively. This is the most common reason homeowners call an arborist about Peninsula redwoods.

Q: Are Coast Redwoods good for defensible space in fire zones?

While individual redwood bark is fire-resistant, dense groves accumulate deep needle litter and dead lower branches that carry fire effectively. In fire zones, redwoods should be thinned and understory cleared for defensible space.

Sequoia sempervirens

California Native Evergreen Conifer Protected in 6+ cities World's Tallest Tree

Mature Height

80–120 ft (landscape)

Canopy Spread

25–40 ft

Growth Rate

Fast (3–5 ft/yr)

Lifespan

500–2,000 years

Water Needs

Moderate

Root System

Shallow, wide-spreading

How to Identify Coast Redwood

Coast redwoods are the tallest living organisms on Earth, and they're native to the fog belt of the SF Peninsula. In residential settings they rarely reach old-growth heights but still dominate the landscape.

Thick, fibrous, deeply furrowed reddish-brown bark — soft and spongy to the touch, fire-resistant
Flat, dark green needles arranged in two rows along the stem (like a fern frond) — 0.5–1 inch long
Small round cones (0.5–1 inch) — much smaller than you'd expect for such a large tree
Massive buttressed trunk base — mature landscape trees reach 3–6 feet in diameter
Basal sprouts (suckers) — redwoods are the only conifer that reliably sprouts from the base, forming "fairy rings" around old stumps

Where It Grows on the Peninsula

Native redwood groves exist throughout the western Peninsula where marine fog provides summer moisture. Significant stands remain in Wunderlich Park, Huddart Park, Purisima Creek, and Woodside. Planted redwoods are ubiquitous in Peninsula neighborhoods — they were the landscape tree of choice in the 1950s–70s development boom, which means thousands of now-massive residential redwoods are approaching 50–70 years old and often outgrowing their sites.

Protection Status by City

Redwoods are protected virtually everywhere in the Bay Area (see the map for permit complexity by neighborhood):

Protection Status by City
City	Status	Protected Size	Notes
Palo Alto	Protected	≥11.5" circumference	All trees above threshold; redwoods as natives get extra scrutiny
San Mateo	Heritage-eligible	≥30" circumference	Commonly qualifies given fast growth rate
Redwood City	Protected	≥38" circumference	Significant tree threshold; most mature redwoods qualify
Menlo Park	Heritage tree	≥15" diameter	Lower threshold for native species
Woodside	Protected	All significant trees	Essentially any mature redwood is protected. Redwood City (aptly named) protects them at 12" diameter — see city-specific permit guides like Palo Alto and Woodside
San Jose	Heritage-eligible	≥56" circumference	Fast growth means redwoods reach this quickly
Oakland	✓ Protected	≥9″ DBH	Protected under OMC 12.36. Redwoods common in Oakland hills — fast growth means most reach protected size within 5–10 years of planting.
Berkeley	Street trees only	—	No private-property protection for redwoods. Berkeley's moratorium covers only Coast Live Oak (BMC 6.52). Street tree removal requires permit (BMC 12.44).
Piedmont	No ordinance	—	No tree protection ordinance.

Use our Permit Checker for your specific situation.

City permit guides

Redwoods are protected virtually everywhere in the Bay Area

Mountain View~4″ dia — protects young redwoods Palo Alto18″ DBH for redwoods Redwood City12″ DBH — free permits Woodside30″ circumference — harshest fines Hillsborough18″ dia — all species Oakland9″ DBH — common in hills BerkeleyNot protected on private property

Common Issues & Diseases

Site Overwhelm

The most common "problem" with Peninsula redwoods isn't disease — it's that they outgrow residential lots. A tree planted 2 feet from a foundation in 1965 is now a 90-foot giant with a root system lifting the foundation, cracking sidewalks, and blocking all light to the yard. Removal permits for these situations are frequently denied because the tree is healthy.

Sudden Branch Drop

Redwoods can drop large limbs without warning, especially during summer heat. Dead branches high in the canopy should be removed proactively. This is the most common reason for arborist calls on Peninsula redwoods.

Redwood Canker (Botryosphaeria dothidea)

Causes branch dieback and cankers on stressed trees. Usually triggered by drought stress or root disturbance. Appears as dead brown branches scattered through otherwise green canopy.

Root Competition

Redwood roots are shallow and aggressive. They will invade sewer lines, crack foundations, heave sidewalks, and outcompete all nearby plantings. The root zone extends well beyond the canopy.

Peninsula Care Calendar

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb)

Storm season — inspect for hanging dead branches (widow-makers). Pruning OK for deadwood removal. Check drainage around base; redwoods tolerate wet soil but not standing water.

🌱 Spring (Mar–May)

Active growth period. New bright-green tip growth appears. Good time for structural pruning if needed. Monitor basal sprouts — remove if unwanted, or thin to selected trunks.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug)

Fog drip is natural irrigation. Supplement with deep watering 1–2×/month in drought years. Watch for brown branch tips (canker or drought stress). Avoid major pruning.

🍂 Fall (Sep–Nov)

Natural needle drop — inner needles turning brown and falling is normal, not disease. Good time for crown cleaning. Schedule arborist inspection before storm season.

Detailed Notes

Fire Risk

Moderate to high in groups — while individual redwood bark is fire-resistant, dense groves accumulate deep needle litter and dead lower branches that carry fire effectively. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire burned through old-growth redwoods near the Peninsula.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate — redwoods evolved with summer fog as a water source. In inland Peninsula locations without fog, they need supplemental summer water. Drought-stressed redwoods are susceptible to canker diseases.

Wildlife Value

Significant. Nesting habitat for owls, hawks, and songbirds. Bat roosts in bark fissures. Banana slugs, salamanders, and numerous invertebrates in the leaf litter. Marbled murrelets (federally threatened) nest exclusively in old-growth redwood canopy.

Arborist Pro Tips

💡 Pro tip: Before removing a redwood, photograph the basal sprouts. Many cities will allow removal of the main trunk if you agree to retain 2–3 basal sprouts as replacement trees — this can be a much easier permit path than full removal.

💡 Pro tip: Redwood roots are remarkably tolerant of trenching on ONE side of the tree. If you need to install a sewer line, route it to one side rather than circling the trunk. Cutting roots on two opposing sides dramatically increases failure risk.

💡 Pro tip: The "brown branch" panic call is our most common redwood inquiry. Inner needle browning in fall is NORMAL seasonal shedding. Disease browning starts at branch tips and is scattered through the canopy — that's when to call an arborist.

Where to Find Coast Redwood on the Peninsula

Find ISA-certified arborists experienced with coast redwood in these cities:

Palo Alto Protected at 18″ DBH. Found in Professorville, Old Palo Alto, and Community Center area. Woodside Native stands in foothill properties. Strict heritage protections. Hillsborough Estate plantings throughout. Some of the largest specimens on the Peninsula. Atherton Common landscape tree on larger properties. Burlingame Found in hillside neighborhoods and older residential areas.

Need Help With Your Coast Redwood?

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Written by Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A · Updated February 2026
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